Suspect sought by police killed in Meridian standoff

MERIDIAN, Miss. – A standoff between law enforcement officers and a man holed up in a Meridian house ended shortly after 12:30 p.m. Friday when the man ran outside the home, opened fire and was shot by authorities.

Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler tells WTOK-TV in Meridian that Emmanuel Wooten died at a local hospital shortly after the shootout with law enforcement officers.

Authorities say Wooten was allegedly involved in a shootout with police two nights ago. At the time, he was being sought for questioning in a break-in and shooting of a young girl and her mother in Marion. The girl is recovering from her wound.

Officers with several law enforcement agencies surrounded a house Friday where Wooten was believed to be inside. Authorities used a bullhorn to try to talk Wooten into surrendering.

A woman inside the home with Wooten was released unharmed shortly before officers shot tear gas. Wooten ran out of the house and began firing before he was shot down.